Turntable lift



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m a PeZeru/I Lzmail? P. J. LUNATI TURNTABLE LIFT FiledJune 9, 1925 Oct. 23, 1928.

I yzJ/H Oct. 23, 1928, 1,689,144

P. J. LUNATI TURNTABLE LIFT Filed Jhne 192s -2 sheets-sheet 2 PeZZPJILzmaii Patented Oct. 23, 1923.

' PETER J. LUNATI, or mnnrrnrs, TENNESSEE.

TURNTABLE LIFT.

Application filed June 9,

My invention relates to turntable lifts.

More particularly it relates to hydraulic or fluid-pressure operatedlifts especially adapted for raising automobiles to afford ready accessto parts normally relatively in accessible for oiling, greasing,inspection, cleaning and repair.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved turntablelift.

Another object is to provide a safer fluid operated lift. a

. Another object is to provide a lift which is particularly responsiveto application of fluid pressure.

Another object is to provide a lift readily accommodated with the usual"garage and service station equipment.

Another object is to provide a lift which operates with relatively equalease in cold weather and in hot weather.

Another object is to provide a lift wherein the return of the mechanismto normal or deto operate and maintain.

pressed position is automatically retarded inthe event ofei'theraccidental or intentional release of pressure.

Another object is to provide a satisfactory air operated turntable liftfor automobiles. Another object is to provide a lift particu larlyadapted for the oiling of automobiles. Another object is to provide alift wherein the air required for the lifting operation is utilized todeliver oil under pressure for lubricating purposes.

Another object is to provide a lift which is simple, reliable andrelatively inexpensive Other objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent during the course of the following description. I

In the drawings, I have shown several embodiments of the invention. Inthis show Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through one formof the invention,

.Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view showing aportion of the upper end of the piston and associated elements,

Figure 3 is a similar view of the lower end of .the cylinder showingthepiston in lowered position,

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a vehicle in position and thepiston raised,

Figure 5 is a section on. line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 5.

1925. Serial No. 86,019.

In general my hydraulic turntable 'lift comprises a hollow stationarycylinder, hav mg a closed bottom and open top, and a movable hollowpiston telescopically and rotatably mounted in the cylinder and carryingthe automobile supporting superstructure. The cylinder and piston arepartly filled with an lncompressible fluid such as oil, while air may beinjected into the space in the piston above the oil level to effect theraising and maintain the elevation of the piston regardless of thedirection the superstructure is turned. In any position of the pistonthe superstructure may be turned about the axis of the stationarycylinder to provide a turntable effect. The piston is prevented fromsuddenly dropping if the source of pressure fails and the pressurewithin the piston is utilized for an oil spraying equipment.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 videdwith a cap 15 having atransverse air port 16 therein connected with an air pressure supplypipe 17. As shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 of the drawings, the pipe17 is connected to a three-way valve 18 which has a pair ofbra nch pipes19 and 20. I The pipe 19 opens to the atmosphere while the pipe 20communicates with the interiorof a pressure tank 21 supplied with airpressure from a suitable pump (not shown).

A hollow or tubular piston 22 is arranged to rotate and reciprocatewithin the cylinder sections as shown in Figure 1. A packing gland 23surrounds the piston and is bolted as at 24 to an annular flange 25formed integral with the upper cylinder section as shown. Packing 26 isprovided to prevent leakage ofoil and air past the piston as w ill behereinafter explained. The piston is provided at its lower end with acap 27 threaded 'thereon and provided with a depending flange 28 tolimit the downward movement of the piston as. will be obvious. As shownin Figure 1, the cap 27 isprovided with an annu'lar flange 29 having asliding fit witlun the lower cylinder section while the piston properupper cylinder section. The lower cylinder section is slightly larger indiameter than the upper cylinder section and it will be obvious that theflange 29 is adapted to contact with the lower end of the upper cylindersection to limit the upward movementyof the piston. As clearly shown inFigure 3, the cap 27 is provided with a central opening 30 in which isarranged a vertical air pipe 31. The open ing 30 is'slightly'larger indiameter than the pipe 31 to permit the passage of oil through theopening in a manner to be described. The lower end of the pipe 31 isthreaded as at 32 within a vertical extension 33 of the air passage 16.The upper end of the air pipe 31 is provided with a T-head 34 as shownin Figure 2 for a purpose to be described. shown in Figure 1, thecylinder and piston form a two-compartment chamber adapted to containoil to a level substantially as indicated by the numeral 35 in Figures 1and 2 with a fluid pressure space above the'oil level and a restrictedliquid passage between the chamber compartments. It will be obvious thatthe level of the oil is at all times below the T-head 34 so that itcannot flow into the 'air pipe 31.

A head indicated as a whole by the numeral 36 is carried by the upperend of the piston as indicated in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6. This headincludes a substantially cylindrical collar 37 which is pressed inposition onv the upper end of the piston and is provided with aninturned annular flange 38 at its upper end which is adapted topositively limit the downward movement of the collar. The

head 36 is further provided with a plurality of outwardly extending armswhich are formed integral with the collar 37. Each of these armsincludessubstantially vertical ribs 39 which are arranged substantially radiallyof the piston and each of the ribs terminates in its outer end inlongitudinal por-' tions 40 as clearly shown in Figure 5. Integral webs40', which are preferably horizontal, are adapted to reinforce the ribs39.

The numeral 41 designates as a whole a pair of I beam supporting memberseach of which includes parallel central portions42, the webs 43 of whichare riveted to the ribs 40 as at 44. Outwardly of the parallel portions42 the I beams diverge as at 45 and their outer ends are arrangedbeneath parallel vehicle supporting'rails 46. The outer ends of the Ibeams may be riveted as at 47 orotherwise secured to the rails 46 aswill be apparent. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, a cover pass throughplate 48 is arranged over the head 36 and associated elements. The plateis preferably secured to the flanges 38 ofthe head by screws 49. Rivets50 or other fastening elements and throng the upper bases of the I beams41 as shown in Figure 6. It will be obvious that the outer edges of theplate 48 the plate 48 and its connections to the I'beams are adapted toprevent any tendency of the latter to rock downwardly at their outerends when a vehicle is in position on the rails.

An oil container 51 is arranged within the upper end of the piston 22 asclearly shown .in Figure 2. .This oil containeris provided mally closedby a threaded plug 56. An outlet pipe 57 extends through the plate 48and has its lower end arranged adjacent the bottom of the container 51.Above the plate 48 the pipe 57 is provided with a suitable valve 58 andthe pipe-is adapted for connect-ion above this valve with a suitableflexible hose (not shown); a

As shown in Figure 1, a depression'59 surrounds; the piston and ispreferably circular and of such a diameter as to receive the I beams 45when the device is in its lowered position. The rails 46 are adapted torest upon the ground. 60 to permit a vehicle to be driven upon the-rails46.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows With the rails 46 loweredto contact wit the ground, a vehicle may be driven thereover to asubstantially central position above the piston and cylinder. With thevehicle properly in position the valve 18 may be arranged in theposition shown in Figure ,1 of the drawings whereby compressed air willbe admitted into the upper end of the piston in the space above the oillevel therein. The admission of the air will lift the piston asindicated in Figure 1 until the flange 25) contacts with the lower endof the upper cylinder section 12 andwill hold the piston andsuperstructure up as long as the pressure obtains and regardless of'anyturning of the piston and superstructure. It willbe obvious that oilwithin the piston will flow downwardly the T-head 34. Air pressure isadapted to maintain the vehicle in lifted position as long as desired.lVhile the piston is held up by the air pressure it is capable ofunrestricted rotation about its axis. hen it is desired tolower thevehicle the valve 18 may be rotated through an angle of 90 in aclockwise direction as viewed in-Figurei': 1 whereby communication willbe established between the interior of the piston and the atmosphere.

The weight of the vehicle and the movable partsof the apparatus willthencause the piston to move downwardly, and downward air movement will beretarded by the'dash-pot action of the relatively small opening 30.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, access may be had to the bottom of thevehicle throughout the greater portion of its length sincethere are nobraces or other elements arranged between the rails other than the Ibeams 41: Since the centers of the I beams are spaced and their endsdiverge outwardly it will be apparent that mechanics may move along thebottom of the car from the ends thereof to the head 36. Aspreviously'stated the pressure of the air within the cylinder 22 iscommunicated to the interior of the oil container through the openings53 and a suitable hoseranged in the container 51 for filling oil cups.or the like beneath the vehicle. The a1r pressure which maintains thepiston in raised position will pump oil from the container 51 throughthepipe 57 as long as-desired and flow. of oil may be cut off merely byclosing thevalve 58. The piston and cylinder may be filled with oil byremoving the plug 56 and allowing the oil to flow downwardly through thetube 54. When the piston and cylinder are being thus filled with oil itwill be apparent that the T-head 34 Wlll prevent the oil from'flowingdownwardly into the pipe 31.

It will be obvious that it is desired to provide means for preventingsudden accidental downward movement of the vehicle while mechanics areworking thereunder- The cylinder sections are surrounded by the concretewell 14 to provide reinforcement therefor to prevent the walls of thecylinder from blowing out under the influence of the pressure. therein.Should the pressure within the piston and. cylinder be released due tobreakage of any of the other parts, such as the blowing out of the plug56, it will be obvious' that the downward movement of the vehicle willbe retarded by the dashpot action of the opening 30 thus allowing amechanic working beneath the vehicle to escape before the piston reachesits lower. position.

While it has been pointed out that the IN springs, oil cups, etc may belubricated while the vehicle is in raised position it will be obviousthat any desired mechanical work may be performed while the vehicle iselevated. Under some conditions it is desirable to tilt the vehicle andthis readily may be done by driving either end of the car upon the rails46 and placing chocks against the wheels whereupon the piston may belifted in the manner described and the vehicle tilted due for lifting,and lowering the vehicle will be.

apparent. Under some conditions it is desirable to permit the vehicle toleave the rails in a different direction from thatlat which itapproaches. Under such conditions the operator may freely rotate thepiston within the cylinder so that the vehicle may leave in any desireddirection.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferredexample of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape,

size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdepartingv fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A hydraulic lift comprising a cylinder, a reciprocating pistonarranged therein,

means for supplying. fluid pressure to the in-- terior of said cylinderto lift and hold said piston, a liquid container carried by the pistonand communicating at its upper end with the interior of said cylinder soas to receive the lifting and holding fluidpressure, and a dischargepipe having its lower end arranged near the bottom of said container.

2. A hydraulic lift comprising a cylinder,

a hollow piston adapted to reciprocate in'v said cylinder, said pistonand said cylinder being adapted to contain a liquid, said piston beingprovided with a restricted opening communicating with said cylinderbelow the level of the liquid therein, means for intro-v ducingfluidpressure into said piston above \the level ofthe liquid therein, anoilcontainer arranged in said piston .and communicating at its upper endwith the interior of said piston above the level. of the liquid therein,and a discharge pipe having its lower end arranged near the bottom ofsaid container..

3. A hydraulic lift comprising a cylinder, a hollow piston adaptedtoreciproca'te in said cylinder, said piston and said cylinder beingadapted to contain a liquid, said piston being open at its lower end tocommunicate with the interior of said cylinder, means for introducingfluid pressure vinto said piston above the level of the liquiditherein,an'oil container-arranged insaid piston and provided near its upper,endwith an opening communicating with the interior of saidpiston above thelevel of. the liquid therein and a discharge pipe'having its lowerendarranged near the bottom of said container.

' 4. .A device constructed in accordancewith clann 3 Wherem saidcontainer 1s arranged adjacent the upper end of said piston and providedwith a tube extending therethrough. 5. A device constructed inaccordancewith .claim 3 wherein said piston is provided with a closure plate atits upper end provided with an. opening, a plug normally closing's'aidwith an opening, said cylinder and piston being adapted to contam a 1iuid, a 'stationary pipe extending upwar y through said opening andhaving lts u per end arranged above the level of the hquid in saidpiston, the upper end of said pipe being open and extended" laterally,and means for an plying pressure fluid to the lower end of said pipe,said piston bein provided with means for supplying ,liqui theretothrough the upper end. thereof. 1

7. A hydrauliryiift comprising a cylinder, a hollow closed-top pistonmounted for reciprocation in the cylinder, the cylinder and "pistonforming a pressure -chamber, means.

or communicating fluid ressure to .the

'chamber to lift and hold t e piston, and a pneumatic liquid-sprayingapparatus carried by the piston and operable by the liftin and holdingfluid pressure within the chem er.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PETER J. LUNATI.

